Shadow of Sin(72)

Love.

And he loved Samantha more than he’d ever thought possible.

Caleb shoved back the urge to wake her. She needed to rest, but damn. He wanted to see her eyes, put his arms around her and smell the sweetness of her skin. To feel her heart beat against his chest and know she was okay.

She’d become a vital part of him. He’d do whatever it took to keep her safe.

“Does anyone have a theory on what the hell?” Brandon’s question broke through Caleb’s thoughts.

Joe shook his head. “The police are scratching their heads. Whoever nailed Vincent knew what they were doing. One clean strike to the heart. No sign of a struggle, leading us to believe he knew the person.”

“The son of a bitch baited me,” Caleb said. “And I took the hook. It’s the only thing that makes sense. It can’t be a coincidence that I publicly threatened him and he turns up dead a few hours later … by my weapon.”

“We both know it was no coincidence, but I doubt Vincent knew of the outcome,” Joe said. “The man I saw was confident and cocky. Not what one would expect from someone who knew he was about to die.”

“We can’t be the only people who’d benefit from Vincent’s death, but the question is, how is this connected to Samantha? Could Carlotta have come back and finished the job herself?” From what Caleb had heard about Carlotta, it seemed highly unlikely.

“What if Samantha isn’t the target?” Alec asked, ignoring his question.

Amanda stiffened, her eyes flaring with momentary panic, followed by guilt. Joe squeezed her shoulder, as if to reassure her.

What was that about? Caleb considered Amanda’s tense expression. This was why she’d always lost her ass at poker. The ability to shield her emotions was severely lacking at best. She was hiding something.

Caleb turned his attention back to Alec, silently vowing to get answers from Amanda before they were done. “What’re you thinking?”

Alec shrugged. “I don’t know. Something doesn’t feel right. Let’s think about this. When Sam’s office was broken into, who’d she go to for help?”

“I know where you’re going with this,” Brandon interrupted, “but that’s not entirely accurate. Amanda went to her. Not the other way around.”

Caleb agreed. “Amanda was the one who insisted Samantha move into our building for the security.”

Alec nodded. “But we need to look at every angle. Everyone Sam cares about is in this room. Anyone who knows Sam, knows how close she is to Amanda.”

“She’s close to you too, Alec,” Amanda pointed out. “What’re you trying to say?”

Alec glanced around the table, his gaze landing on Caleb. “I’m suggesting that we’ve made assumptions based on the obvious. Vincent’s murder demands that we look at the not so obvious, wouldn’t you think?”

Caleb felt the pride swell in his chest. Maybe he’d not given Alec enough credit over the years. “Which is why I asked about Carlotta. Or, what about Sam’s father? Could this be connected to him?” That was something Caleb should’ve considered before now.

“Doubtful on both parts. Sam’s estrangement from her dad is well known. Using Sam to get to him wouldn’t gain anyone anything. I can’t say for sure about Carlotta, but if she’s safe, she’d have no reason to come back now.” Alec looked at Amanda again. “What if —”

“Mandy isn’t the target.” Joe’s tone reeked of confidence as he anticipated where Alec was going.

“We need to consider all —”

“Mandy isn’t the target,” Joe repeated firmly.

“She was attacked —”

“Random.” Joe shook his head in frustration. “Clete’s attack on Mandy was a separate deal from what we have here. He’s nothing but a dumbass drunk. These have been coordinated strikes. Besides, Clete’s back in jail, and has been for quite some time. Mandy isn’t the target.”

“Amanda wasn’t with us when we were shot at, either.” Caleb reminded everyone.

“Which brings us to you, Caleb.” Brandon pinned him with a stare.

Caleb shook his head. “I wasn’t supposed to be there. The only person that knew I was going to pick her up was Alec. He was the one she called for a ride.”

“Well, it isn’t me,” Alec offered.

“No jealous husbands looking for retribution?” Joe raised an eyebrow at Alec.

Alec snorted. “Not hardly. I don’t mess with married women.”

Caleb surged from his seat to pace. His body hummed with energy, the kind that came when his thoughts ran out of control. The kind he’d normally work off on the treadmill.